Mike Neal

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Free-agent LB Mike Neal (Packers) fully cooperated with National Football League investigators during its look into human-growth hormone, or HGH. The four other players being investigated have been cleared, while Neal remains under review.

Free-agent LB Mike Neal (Packers) is facing a suspension by Thursday, Aug. 25, if he does not comply with the National Football League's probe into performance-enhancing drugs. The suspension would be for conduct detrimental, and separate from any possible discipline he would face under the league's drug policies.

Green Bay Packers LB Mike Neal lost weight this offseason and is down to 263 pounds, which is close to the ideal weight for an outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Dom Capers' system. Neal went from 305 pounds to 275 pounds last offseason.

The Chicago Bears tried to sign Green Bay Packers LB Mike Neal in free agency. "They offered me," Neal said. "In the long run, their offer, it wasn't a bad deal. The option for me to come back here was better, in my opinion. I felt like this was a system that if I was kept in the same position, I could flourish in. I thought it would be better to try to capitalize on what I did last year here."

The two-year contract signed by Green Bay Packers LB Mike Neal is worth $8 million and includes a $2.5 million signing bonus. The contract also features $1.6 million in total roster bonuses — $300,000 per year in per-game bonuses, and a $1 million roster bonus due next year.

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said he feels LB Mike Neal is best as an inside pass rusher, despite thriving at outside linebacker last season. "I still think the best thing, in my opinion, that Mike Neal does is rush from a '3' technique, particular in third down in the sub package," head coach Mike McCarthy said. "I think he's a real force in there." The Packers may use Neal as a bit of both as they look to become more versatile on defense in their defensive packages. McCarthy and defensive coordinator Dom Capers also might experiment in using Neal as an elephant end.

The Philadelphia Eagles could show interest in Green Bay Packers DE Mike Neal shouold he get to free agency. Neal's agent, Roosevelt Barnes, thinks Philadelphia could be a good potential landing spot for him. "I would think that they would [have interest]," said Barnes. "Philly would be a good spot for him, but we still have a little while to go before free agency."